QPR and Mental Health First Aid Training

As part of USG and KSU's Mental Health Initiative, we are proud to be able to offer QPR Suicide Prevention Training to faculty and staff. A top priority of the initiative is to equip the entire campus with the awareness, knowledge, and skill needed to provide a community of support that facilitates optimal performance of students, faculty, and staff.

The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. QPR believes that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.

Why QPR?

The latest National College Health Assessment conducted at KSU demonstrated that 40% of our students felt so depressed that it was difficult to function and 12% reported seriously considering suicide at some time within the last year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college-aged students. Everyone who works with students should have a baseline level of knowledge and skill for assisting someone who is suicidal. Research tells us that one way to reduce suicide is to create a community of care, and one essential ingredient of such a community is having large numbers of folks who have been trained on how to recognize and respond to someone who is depressed and suicidal.

QPR is designed to help you recognize someone who may be considering suicide and consist of three life-saving skills.

QUESTION...the person about suicide.
PERSUADE...the person to get help and,
REFER...the person to the appropriate resource.

Learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer help, and how to get help and save a life. 

VIRTUAL TRAINING AVAILABLE:  The University System of Georgia is offering free 1.5 hour online sessions that includes didactic instruction, role-play exercises and time for questions. Training is live and hosted via MS Teams.  You can view more information and the dates offered on their website.   

IN-PERSON TRAINING REQUEST:  If your group or department is interested in hosting an in-person training on either campus, please reach out to our Office Manager Melissa Lewis (mlewis19@kennesaw.edu) for more information. 

Why MHFA? 

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.  You will build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You'll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

What if Covers?

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
• Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges
• How to interact with a person in crisis.
• How to connect a person with help.
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.

Learn how to respond with the Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE)

• Assess for risk of suicide or harm
• Listen nonjudgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

SUMMER MHFA TRAINING SESSIONS NOW OPEN!  We are excited to announce our summer training schedule.  The in-person training day is scheduled from 9:00am-4:30pm on the Kennesaw campus.  To register, email our Office Manager Melissa Lewis (mlewis19@kennesaw.edu) your date preference from the list below.